HOBOKEN -- The state of New Jersey isn't being as generous in approving charter school applications as it used to be. The state Department of Education announced yesterday that it has denied all but two of the schools that applied for charters this year. Among those denied was a proposed school for Hoboken called DaVinci Charter, which was to be a math and science-oriented school.

The matter came up for debate this spring when the Hoboken Board of Education majority and the superintendent said they were against the new school, fearing it might take resources away from the existing public schools. Hoboken already has three charter schools.

Charter schools are usually founded by parents and educators. They are considered part of the public school system and are largely funded that way, although they have to raise some money of their own.

In 2009, the Christie administration approved more than 20 charter schools. But this year, they approved only a school in Camden and one for Newark. Those will open next fall.

Sentiment against the schools has grown in some areas where people do not want the schools drawing away their best and brightest.